In today’s health-conscious world, dietary supplements have become a popular tool for filling nutritional gaps, improving overall well-being, and even managing specific health conditions. However, not all supplements are created equal. Some can be contaminated, interact with medications, or even harm liver health. Choosing the right supplement requires careful consideration and awareness of potential risks, and it also means being aware of shady marketing tactics!
This post will explore the dangers of supplement use, recent research highlighting the risks of supplement-induced liver failure, and practical steps you can take to protect your health.
‘Supplements’ is an umbrella term for supplemental forms of individual nutrients like calcium and iron. But the more problematic of the bunch are ‘natural’ nutritional supplements that are marketed with shady claims, proprietary formulas, and little to no testing. These are the types of supplements that I’m mostly referring to in this post.
The Hidden Dangers of Supplements: Liver Failure, Recent Research, and How to Stay Safe
Dietary supplements are a multi-billion-dollar industry, marketed as an easy way to improve health, enhance energy, and fill in nutritional gaps. However, behind the glossy labels and health claims, a growing body of research reveals that some supplements can pose serious health risks—including liver failure.
In recent years, cases of supplement-induced liver injury (SILI) have been on the rise, with certain herbal and dietary supplements linked to severe liver damage, hospitalization, and even death. Despite being widely available over the counter and often perceived as “natural” and safe, many supplements are poorly regulated and can contain harmful ingredients.
Supplement Marketing is a Dumpster Fire
‘But it’s natural!’ So are poisonous mushrooms, but nobody wants to eat those. The supplement industry – in particular the nutrition supplement industry – is built on convincing people to buy supplements that we actually don’t need.
Implying that supplements are more ‘natural’ than medications works on the Appeal to Nature fallacy, which supplement makers use to make their product appear safer than pharmaceuticals. As a dietitian, I’m seeing this a lot with GLP-1 supplements, which are mostly just garbage. Nothing about them is effective or safer than actual medications, which are regulated and prescribed under controlled conditions (ideally…we all know something who is getting them from dubious sources).
I was unreasonably happy to see that Kourtney Kardashian’s Lemme GLP-1 supplement is currently the subject of a class action lawsuit for claiming to work like GLP-1 agonist medication. It doesn’t. But as I wrote in one of my recent posts, there are many people who want GLP-1 medication but can’t afford it. This leaves a gap that is being grossly exploited by the supplement industry.
That’s how shady supplement makers earn their money, and it often works…to the tune of $177 billion dollars in 2023, and projected to grow exponentially for the forseeable future. Whether it’s weight loss, menopause, blood sugar (see my Glucose Goddess Anti Spike review here), immunity-boosting, or whatever else, the supplement industry has a pill for that.
It goes without saying that if a supplement is claiming to cure anxiety or depression or any other mental health diagnosis, it’s a huge red flag. Claims like these are unethical and potentially dangerous, as they can convince people to abandon effective and necessary medication.
Getting wise to supplement marketing scams takes a few small checks.
Nutrition Supplement Red Flags:
No research, or basing claims on animal or cell research. Even if you aren’t well-versed in reading research, always take a look at the supplement’s website to see if it offers research to back up its claims. Is the research done on humans? Animals? How old are the studies? Is the research done on the product itself, or only on certain ingredients that the product contains?
I wrote a post about the basics of interpreting nutrition research here, but the TL;DR is that you want recent studies (as in, last 5 years), done in humans, published in peer-reviewed journals, on the product itself. 99% of the time, you won’t find all of those things. That is a red flag.
Anything sold by multi-level marketing. Not only do MLM companies prey on vulnerable people (mainly women), they tend to make the most egregious claims about their products. MLM salespeople are not trained to give nutrition advice or understand your health history. Trust me – if something groundbreaking exists, it will be regulated by the FDA and sold in drugstores, not by some MLM coach.
Implying that their formula was discovered by ‘Harvard (or X Ivy League) scientists’ or that Big Pharma/actual scientists haven’t yet discovered this groundbreaking secret. I see this a lot from companies like VShred (read my VShred review here) and Lifevantage (read my Lifevantage Protandim and GLP-1 review here), among many others. There is no big secret. Nobody is hiding anything (besides these companies trying to hide their grift, although they aren’t fooling me!). Name dropping an Ivy League school never means anything, either. It’s all bluster created to give them false legitimacy.
Claiming that a supplement can cure the incurable, such as autism, ADHD. Don’t even go there.
Big claims and use of statistics that seem too good to be true. 95% of people love this supplement? How did the company even determine that? Hint: they didn’t.
The use of before and after photos and testimonials to ‘prove’ efficacy of a product. These are easily faked, and they show up when a company has nothing better to offer in terms of proof of their product working.
The claim of being safer, more natural, or equally effective as actual medications. We talked about this above.
Vague claims using words or phrases like ‘supports metabolism’ or ‘helps with X’. This is how companies can make the claims they make, without triggering the FDA’s attention. It’s a loophole that many people don’t know about, but now you do!
The use of influencers to sell the product. This one might be controversial, but I feel like popular influencers using affiliate codes to flood peoples’ social feeds with ads for a product is a distraction and made to convince potential customers that if they use the product, they’ll be young/attractive/healthy/popular like the people selling it.
The Dangers of Nutrition Supplements
While all nutrition supplements are marketed as beneficial, they can sometimes do more harm than good. Some of the key risks include:
Lack of Regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, which allows manufacturers to sell products without proving their safety or efficacy. Unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements are not required to undergo rigorous testing before hitting the market.
This means that:
Supplements may contain unlisted or harmful ingredients.
Dosages may be inconsistent or higher than recommended.
Contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, or prescription drugs may be present.
The FDA typically doesn’t get involved unless there has actually been harm done to a person by the supplement.
Liver Toxicity and Organ Damage
The liver plays a crucial role in processing supplements, breaking down compounds, and detoxifying harmful substances. However, certain supplements contain ingredients that can overwhelm or damage liver cells, leading to:
Hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity): The liver struggles to process toxic compounds, leading to inflammation and cell damage.
Acute liver failure: Severe cases where the liver loses its ability to function, sometimes requiring a transplant or resulting in death.
Chronic liver disease: Long-term damage from repeated exposure to harmful supplements.
Dangerous Interactions with Medications
Many people take supplements alongside prescription medications without realizing that certain combinations can be toxic.
For example, St. John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and birth control pills. Kava and green tea extracts have been linked to severe liver damage, especially when taken with other medications metabolized by the liver. Vitamin A and iron in excessive doses can cause liver inflammation and damage.
Recent Research on Supplement-Induced Liver Failure
Over the past decade, scientific studies and clinical reports have highlighted a concerning rise in supplement-related liver injury.
The DILIN Study (2014 – Present)
The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), a U.S.-based research initiative, has been tracking cases of drug- and supplement-related liver injury.
Their findings show that:
Herbal and dietary supplements account for 20% of liver injury cases in the U.S.
The rate of supplement-induced liver damage has increased from 7% in 2004 to 20% in recent years.
Weight-loss and bodybuilding supplements are the most commonly implicated.
Green Tea Extracts and Hepatotoxicity
Green tea extract is a popular supplement found in many weight-loss products, but research has linked it to severe liver toxicity.
A 2018 study in the journal Hepatology found that catechins, the active compounds in green tea, can cause liver damage in high doses. Some cases resulted in acute liver failure requiring transplants. A 2022 study found garcinia cambogia, with or without green tea (I have seen countless supplements that contain both of these ingredients) can cause moderate to severe liver injury.
Bodybuilding Supplements and Undisclosed Steroids
Bodybuilding supplements are among the most dangerous, with many containing undeclared anabolic steroids that can cause liver toxicity.
A 2017 study in The Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that:
Nearly 50% of liver injury cases in young men were linked to bodybuilding supplements.
Many of these supplements contained illegal or undisclosed steroid compounds.
Heavy metals like arsenic, bacteria and fungi, banned stimulants like ephedrine, and undeclared drugs like sibutramine (found to have cardiac risks) are only a few examples of what has recently been found in herbal nutrition supplements.
While not all supplements are harmful, it’s essential to approach them with caution. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Do Your Research Before Taking Any Supplement
Look for scientific studies that support the safety and effectiveness of a supplement.
Be skeptical of products that promise rapid weight loss, extreme muscle gain, or “detox” benefits. If something is promising to do what no other supplement or medication has done before (ie fat burners), walk or scroll right on by. While a supplement might not be dangerous, I also consider the financial impacts of taking anything you don’t really need.
Choose Third-Party Tested Supplements
Since the FDA does not regulate supplements strictly, look for third-party testing from organizations such as:
U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
NSF International
ConsumerLab
These certifications ensure that supplements contain what they claim and do not have harmful contaminants.
Avoid High-Risk Supplements
Some of the most dangerous supplements include:
Green tea extract (high doses)
Kava
Kratom
Bodybuilding supplements with steroids
Weight-loss supplements with “fat burners” or stimulants
Talk to Your Doctor Before Using Supplements
If you are on medications, ask your doctor about possible supplement interactions.
If you have liver disease, diabetes, or heart conditions, be extra cautious with supplements.
In Short:
Dietary supplements can be helpful in some cases, but they also pose significant risks—especially to liver health. With research linking certain supplements to liver failure, it’s crucial to be informed and selective about what you take.
By choosing third-party tested products, avoiding high-risk supplements, and prioritizing whole foods, you can protect your liver and overall health. Always consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your routine.
Your health is worth more than a quick fix—stay informed, and stay safe!
